Several thousand people are expected to converge on New York City, Jan. 11-15, 2013, for the annual conference of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP). Now in its 56th year, the global performing arts marketplace and conference will feature daily plenary sessions and a wide array of professional development workshops and forums primarily focused on the theme “Imagine” — which asks both speakers and attendees to reflect upon the innovation and entrepreneurship that make the performing arts integral to community engagement.

Dozens of performers from the folk, roots and singer-songwriter communities in the U.S., Canada and several other countries will showcase their talents during the multidisciplinary arts business conference. As in years past, exhibition halls will teem with booking agents and presenters eager to speak with them, and there’ll be a whole lot of networking opportunities. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash will deliver the conference’s closing keynote.

Prior to the official start of the APAP Conference, a World Music Conference, organized by Dmitri Vietze of StoryAmp and rock paper scissors, inc., will feature workshops and panel discussions focusing on such music business topics as labels, technology and touring. New developments and tools for professionals in the world music realm also will be highlighted.

A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, APAP is a national service and advocacy organization dedicated to developing and supporting a robust performing arts presenters field and the professionals who work within it. More information on the association may be found online at www.apap365.org, while more information on the conference is available at www.apapnyc.org. AcousticMusicScene.com will be there and will report on select highlights later this month.